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The sudden departure of host Molly Qerim from ESPN’s First Take has opened up one of the choicest gigs on sports TV.
The embrace debate show led by featured analyst Stephen A. Smith is a TV powerhouse, anchoring ESPN’s weekday studio lineup and serving as a showcase for up-and-comers such as Monica McNutt and sports radio legends like Chris “Mad Dog” Russo.
In August, First Take averaged 418,000 viewers, up 24% from the previous year.
It won’t be easy to succeed Qerim, who expertly set the table for a decade. As one TV veteran familiar with the job notes: “The hosting job is very nuanced. People think it takes a big personality to sit in Molly’s chair, but it’s really about bringing out and managing the other personalities and getting them to perform and entertain. Knowing when to push, pull, pivot, etcetera.”
Some free advice: Stephen A. should not consider doubling as host and commentator. That was Skip Bayless’s move when he brought Undisputed back from hiatus. Bad call. It was the beginning of the end for Bayless’s FS1 debate show. As executive producer of First Take, Smith will have the final word on who sits across from him.
The tryouts have already begun. SportsCenter anchor Amina Smith got her shot on Monday’s show and did well. Ditto for Shae Cornette on Tuesday.
Here’s our scouting report of nine on-air talents who could mesh with Smith and other First Take regulars.
Inside ESPN
- Monica McNutt: Smart, funny, and feisty. She went viral for standing up to Stephen A. on his own show. (See McNutt’s interview at last year’s Tuned In event here.)
- Shae Cornette: Her résumé as a former Bears reporter is a plus for this NFL-driven show. She hosted Tuesday morning’s First Take and fit right in.
- Amina Smith: Relatively new ESPN hire (March 2024). But she hosted Monday’s show.
- Christine Williamson: Like Cornette, she’s filled in for Qerim before and did a great job.
- Courtney Cronin: Her reporting chops could help take this show in a new direction.
- Nicole Briscoe: The SportsCenter anchor is talented and versatile. She’s got the right résumé.
- Evan Cohen: Awful Announcing is high on the host of ESPN Radio’s UnSportsmanLike.
Outside ESPN
- Colleen Wolfe: Loads of experience at NFL Network, including hosting NFL GameDay Kickoff and tentpole events like Super Bowl and NFL Draft. Qerim also hailed from NFLN.
- Sherree Burruss: Former sideline reporter who’s made waves since joining NFL Media in 2023.
ESPN president of content Burke Magnus told Richard Deitsch of The Athletic last week that the network will try out various talents from inside and outside ESPN over the next 30 to 45 days to fill the hosting role Qerim has held since 2015.
